Portfolio for Mark Cook - Commissionaportrait

Mark was brought up in Newark, Nottinghamshire. After completing a degree in Fine Art Painting he worked for various companies as a sculptor and model maker, before setting up his own successful business producing figurative and equestrian sculptures for a number of prominent companies and individual clients. In 2001 he moved to Guernsey to concentrate on painting and set up a studio in Guernsey painting portraits and sculpting bronzes. Mark has also written articles on portraiture for the Guernsey Press newspaper and is a part time associate lecturer for the art department of the Guernsey College of Further Education.

Birth date

28/12/63

Education

Lincoln College of Art and Design; Foundation course.
Loughborough College of Art and Design; BA (Hons) Fine Art Painting.

Selected Commissions

To celebrate the visit of The Right Hon. Michael Portillo to Guernsey in 2004, Mark was asked by Lloyds TSB offshore to produce his portrait.

Group Exhibitions

2003 BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery

Solo Exhibitions

In the summer of 2005 Mark will be holding a solo exhibition of his work which will be sponsored by Lloyds TSB Offshore.

Artist's Statement

"My work is highly figurative without being photographic. My aim is not merely to capture a likeness of the sitter, but to produce a portrait that tells you who the person is, and also something about the interaction that exists between them and the artist. This is achieved by listening to and getting to know the sitter and careful consideration of composition and setting. Since moving to Guernsey I have become more interested in light and colour and as a result my paintings have become much more vibrant."

Statement

At the first sitting the composition and the embryonic idea for the painting is worked through, it is also beneficial if I can see where the painting might finally hang. At this stage sketches and photographs will be taken. At the second sitting the under drawing and final composition will be worked out and agreed before the painting starts, at this stage both parties should be happy with and understand how the painting is going to evolve. The number of sittings then needed will depend on the complexity of the composition and subject. The time and length of these is normally negotiated at this second sitting. When the painting is completed I will normally advise on framing. With all oil paintings a varnishing takes place six months after the painting is finished.

The
Prices quoted are for the standard mediums of oil on canvas and bronze
(in
the case of sculpture).For other media, prices may vary, please enquire
directly with us for more specific quotes.Back to top

Press Quotes

"Among the works in his studio is a startling double portrait that is acutely realistic without being a simple photo-like reproduction" - Guernsey Now.